Good Friday is just a few days away.
And yet, in the eyes of many, there is nothing which was “good” about it.
It is hard to think on all which Jesus suffered on this day. Scripture graphically tells us of all He endured ”“ the beatings, the shame, the abandonment. It was a dark day for those who loved Him and had spent time with Him.
How do we reconcile these thoughts?
“You are good and do good.” (Psalm 119: 68, NASB)
All our God does yields good. As I remember and focus on this truth, and the good which He does, my heart is filled with gratitude.
May our hearts be filled with gratitude for the sacrifice our Lord made for us. It truly was a dark and difficult obedience for Him, one He would have desired to avoid if at all possible. But He kept His eyes on His Father and He obeyed ”“ in order for us to experience His love, His forgiveness, His grace and mercy.
It is in the remembering that our hearts are filled with greater gratitude. The remembering perhaps keeps us from straying.
The story does not end with the Crucifixion. It doesn’t end with His resurrection. It doesn’t end with His ascension either.
The story has not yet ended for if it had, we would not have been included. The story is yet ongoing, open to all who will hear and accept Him as their Lord. And the story will continue for all eternity, for God is yet demonstrating His love:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NASB)
Good Friday. A day which causes us to pause and to remember. And in the remembering, our hearts are filled more deeply with a love and gratitude for His sacrifice. His sacrifice, which He would have made even if each of us were the only one.
Amazing grace.
Amazing love.
It is good.
Often we look at the amount of work which yet needs to be done, and then can miss the beauty and surprise which is waiting to burst forth. In her post, “Spring’s Hope For Renewing the Dry Places”, Donna Boucher brings this reminder: “Avoid approaching your spiritual garden as a problem which needs fixing, but rather with a curious, loving gaze.” You can read her post HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Samuel McGarrigle on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
Sometimes it’s hard to reconcile the joy at the salvation Christ wrought for us with the pain He went through to accomplish it. There’s a song titled “My Jesus Fair” which uses the phrase “joyful grief”””that seems so apt.
The Crucifixion is a most difficult place to reconcile joy and grief. I had not ever heard the song “My Jesus Fair”. Beautiful! And yes, “joyful grief” describes it well. May you and yours have a blessed Easter.
Thank you for this beautiful song and group. I have not heard of them!
Amen! The older I get, the more I try to change my perspective when I see other people. That person who cut me off in traffic? Jesus died for HIM. That co-worker who spread catty lies about me? Jesus died for HER. it helps me see people differently.
It is so true, Anita. As we remember those for whom Jesus also died, it will change our perspective.
Thank you, Joanne for featuring my post! It is always a blessing to me to see how God chooses to use my posts!
Your post today is thought provoking, Joanne. For years I struggled even accepting salvation because I could not get past what my sin caused Christ; I felt so ashamed and hopeless. Yet that is exactly why He came!
I think many of us struggle to get past the cost of our sin. It is the very reason He came though – Amazing grace, amazing love for you, for me. May we forever remain grateful.
I have observed that we Christians have a rough time with the Word GOOD across the board. How wonderful that we can celebrate Christ’s suffering with joy in our hearts become of the resurrection!
We can have a rough time with the word ‘good’ for so many varied reasons. May we remember Psalm 119:68: “You are good and do good; Teach me Your statutes.” He is good in all He does. May you and your family have a blessed Easter, Michele!
Amen. The love the Father has for His children is beyond what we can understand. We are His beloved children.
Love that song and haven’t heard it in a long time!
Oh, that my heart would hunger so for the truths, all of them, of the Crucifixion, melding grief and joy into this same picture of our Christ, our Messiah. Each day, one step closer to Him, He Who died for me, taking my sin to that awful Cross.
Such a fine post and giving me the music to sing with this day. Thank you.
I loved your line, “All our God does yields good.” We might not see good right at the moment, but goodness is chasing us down!. (See Psalm 23:6)
Amen, His goodness is chasing us down. So grateful you shared!
This is a powerful reminder, Joanne, “The story has not yet ended; the story will continue for all eternity.”
Amen Joanne, the story hasn’t ended it will continue!
Wishing you a blessed Easter with your family.
Bless you,
Jennifer
Ah, Joanne … “Wonderful, Merciful Savior” is probably my all-time favorite Selah song (out of many favorites). He “offers hope when our hearts have hopelessly lost their way.” Where would be we be without the love, grace and goodness of Jesus?
Mine too, Lois. I never want to be without His love, grace, goodness, and I would add, His mercy.